Plank Assembly for a Scaffolding

ABSTRACT

A plank assembly for a scaffolding includes a main plank and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank. The at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a scaffolding. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a plank assembly for a scaffolding adapted to telescopically extend or retract.

BACKGROUND

Scaffold systems include vertical upright members and horizontal members supported on the upright members. Scaffolding system also scaffold planks. A scaffold plank is connected to two parallel and oppositely arranged horizontal members and is disposed therebetween. The scaffold plank provides a support platform for a work crew and the material.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure a plank assembly for a scaffolding is disclosed. The plank assembly includes a main plank and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank. The at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew.

In some embodiments, the at least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly of further includes at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank and at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank. The at least one first hook and the at least one second hook are adapted to engage with a frame of the scaffolding to support the plank assembly on the frame.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly further includes a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the frame to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the frame.

In some embodiments, each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.

In some embodiments, the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank. The second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap. The second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap. The first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions.

According to an aspect of the disclosure a scaffolding is disclosed. The scaffolding includes at least four upright members adapted to be supported on a ground, and two laterally extending horizontal members arranged spaced apart and opposite to each other. The two horizontal members are supported on the upright members. The scaffolding further includes a plank assembly supported on the horizontal members and includes a main plank arranged, at least partially, between the two horizontal members and connected to the two horizontal members, and at least one extender plank. The at least one extender plank is adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank. The at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew.

In some embodiments, the at least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly further includes at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank and removably engaged to the one of the horizontal members. The plank assembly also includes at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank and removably engaged with other of the horizontal members.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly further includes a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the horizontal members to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the horizontal members.

In some embodiments, each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.

In some embodiments, the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank. The second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap. The second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap. The first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions.

According to another aspect of the disclosure a plank assembly for a scaffolding is provided. The plank assembly includes a main plank and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank. The at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew. The least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly further includes at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank, and at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank. The at least one first hook and the at least one second hook are adapted to engage with a frame of the scaffolding to support the plank assembly on the frame.

In some embodiments, the plank assembly further includes a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the frame to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the frame.

In some embodiments, each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.

In some embodiments, the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank. The second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap. The second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap. The first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a scaffolding, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a plank assembly of the scaffolding of FIG. 1 depicting two extender planks, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings, the sizes, positions, etc., of components, features, elements, etc., as well as any distances therebetween, are not necessarily to scale, and may be disproportionate and/or exaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be recognized that the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, one element could be termed a “first element” and similarly, another element could be termed a “second element,” or vice versa. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “about,” “thereabout,” “substantially,” etc. mean that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

Spatially relative terms, such as “right,” left,” “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be recognized that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can, for example, encompass both an orientation of above and below. An object may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be direct or indirect. Similarly, unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be rigid or non-rigid.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, even elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

Many different forms and embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and so this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a scaffolding 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The scaffolding 100 is suitable to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. As shown, the scaffolding 100 includes at least one frame 102 having at least four upright members 104 arranged spaced apart from each other and extending in a vertical direction. The four upright members 104 may be circular bars and may be arranged at the four corners of a rectangle. It may be appreciated that each frame may include more than four upright members 104 to increase a length of the frame 102. Further, each frame 102 includes at least two horizontal members 106 arranged substantially parallel to each other and extending laterally (i.e., widthwise direction) of the frame between two adjacently arranged upright members 104 and connected to two adjacently arranged upright members 104. For example, a first horizontal member 106 a is connected a first upright member 104 a and a second upright member 104 b, while a second horizontal member 106 b is connected to a third upright member 104 c and a fourth upright member 104 d. The frame 102 may include additional reinforcing bars 108 extending between two adjacently placed upright members 104 to provided addition strength to the frame 102. As shown, the reinforcing bars 108 may extend diagonally between the second upright member 104 b and the fourth upright member 104 d. In addition, the frame 102 may include two longitudinally extending horizontal members (not shown) connecting the first upright member 104 a to the third upright member 104 c, and connecting the second upright member 104 b to the fourth upright member 104 d. The upright members 104 may be supported on a ground. The scaffolding 100 may include multiple frames 102 to increase a height of the scaffolding 100.

Further, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the scaffolding 100 includes a plank assembly 120 mounted to the frame 102 to provide a support structure to support the work crew and/or the material. The plank assembly 120 is removably engaged to the frame 102, (i.e., the two horizontal members 106), and is arranged substantially horizontally to the ground when connected to the horizontal members 106 (i.e., frame 102). As shown, the plank assembly 120 includes a main plank 122 having a first lateral side 124 removably coupled to the first horizontal member 106 a and a second lateral side 126 removably coupled/connected/engaged to the second horizontal member 106 b. The main plank 122 may include a length and a width substantially equal to a length and a width of the frame 120. However, the length and the width of the main plank 122 may be greater or smaller than the length and width of the frame 102. A length of the frame 102 is defined as a distance between a distance between the first upright member 104 a and the third upright member 104 c or a distance between the second upright member 104 b and the fourth upright member 104 d. Similarly, a width of the frame 102 is defined as a distance between the first upright member 104 a and the second upright member 104 b.

To engage the plank assembly 120 with the frame 102, i.e., the horizontal members 106 a, 106 b, the plank assembly 120 includes at least one first hook 130 engaged to the main plank 122 and extending outwardly of the first lateral side 124 in a first longitudinal direction ‘A’. As shown, two first hooks 130 are arranged proximate to corners of the main plank 122 and are connected to the first lateral side 124 of the main plank 122. Similarly, at least one second hook, for example, two second hooks 132, of the plank assembly 120 is arranged proximate to other corners of the main plank 122 and is connected to the second lateral side 126 of the main plank 122. The second hooks 132 extends outwardly of the second lateral side 126 in a second longitudinal direction ‘B’ opposite to the first longitudinal direction ‘A’. The first hooks 130 and the second hooks 132 removably engage the main plank 122 with the first horizontal member 106 a and the second horizontal member 106 b, respectively. Further, the plank assembly 120 includes a plurality of locks 140 associated with the hooks 130, 132. A single lock 140 is associated with a single hook 130, 132 to lock the associated hook 130, 132 with the associated horizontal member 106. The lock 140 is a spring biased latch member 142 configured to engage with respective horizontal member 106 to prevent any undesired disengagement or removal of the associated hook 130, 132 from the respective horizontal member 106. It may be appreciated that the latch member 142 is biased to a lock position by a spring (not shown), and is moved to an unlock position by pulling the latch member 142 to engage or disengage the associated hook 130, 13 from the respective horizontal member 106.

Further, the plank assembly 120 includes at least one extender plank, for example, a first extender plank 150, telescopically engaged to the main plank 122 and adapted to telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the main plank 122. In the extended position, the first extender plank 150 extends outside the main plank 122 in the first longitudinal direction ‘A″, while in the retracted position the first extender plank 150 is arranged completely underneath a work platform 152 of the main plank 122. Accordingly, in the retracted position, a length of the plank assembly 120 is substantially equal to the length of the main plank 122, and the first extender plank 150 is arranged, at least partially, inside a space defined between the four upright members 104. As shown, the first extender plank 150 may include a plurality of first bars 154 arranged spaced apart from each other such a first gap 156 is defined between to consecutively arranged first bars 154. Ends of the first bars 154 may be connected to each other via a suitable connecting member such that the first bars 154 move together as the first extender plank 150 is extended or retracted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plank assembly 120 includes a second extender plank 162 having a plurality of second bars 164 with each second bar 164 separated from an adjacent bar 164 by a second gap 166. Ends of the second bars 164 may be connected to each other via a suitable connecting member such that the bars 164 move together as the second extender plank 162 is extended or retracted. The second bars 164 of the second extender plank 162 and the first bars 154 of the first extender plank 150 are arranged such that in the retracted position of the two extender planks 150, 162, the first bars 154 of the first extender plank 150 are arranged in the second gaps 166 defined between the second bars 164 of the second extender plank 162, while the second bars 164 of the second extender plank 162 are arranged in the first gaps 156 defined between the first bars 154 of the first extender plank 150. Accordingly, the first bars 154 of the first extender plank 150 are arranged facing and opposite to the second gaps 166 of the second extender plank 162, and the second bars 164 of the second extender plank 162 are arranged facing and opposite to the first gaps 156 of the first extender plank 150 in the extended position of the first extended plank 150 and the second extender plank 162.

The first extender plank 150 is arranged to extend outwardly of the first lateral side 124 of the main plank 122 in the first longitudinal direction ‘A’, while the second extender plank 162 is arranged to extend outwardly of the second lateral side 126 of the main plank 122 in the second longitudinal direction ‘B’ opposite to the first longitudinal direction ‘A’. In some embodiments, the plank assembly 120 may include a single extender plank 150, and the extender plank 150 is configured to extend outwardly from the first lateral side 124 as well as the second lateral side 126. In this manner, the at least one extender plank 150, 162 provide additional work platform for the work crew without having to increase the upright members and the horizontal members of the scaffolding. In some embodiments, the main plank 122 also includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from the adjacent bar by a gap. In an embodiment, wherein the plank assembly 120 includes a single extender plank 150, and in the retracted position of the extender plank 150, the bars 154 of the extender plank 150 may be arranged between the bars of the main plank 122. As the extender planks 150, 162 can extend beyond the frame of the scaffolding 100, the plank assembly 120 provides working space beyond the edge of the frame 102. This allows for work to be done over large objects reducing time and effort for the workforce. The plank assembly 120 facilitates working in or around buildings which already have various obstacles around the walls from holes to large metal cabinets.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plank assembly for a scaffolding, the plank assembly comprising: a main plank; and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank, wherein the at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew.
 2. The plank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.
 3. The plank assembly of claim 1 further including at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank, and at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank, wherein the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook are adapted to engage with a frame of the scaffolding to support the plank assembly on the frame.
 4. The plank assembly of claim 3 further including a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the frame to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the frame.
 5. The plank assembly of claim 4, wherein each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.
 6. The plank assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank, the second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.
 7. The plank assembly of claim 6, wherein the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap, the second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap, wherein the first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions.
 8. A scaffolding comprising: at least four upright members adapted to be supported on a ground; two laterally extending horizontal members arranged spaced apart and opposite to each other, the at least two horizontal members being supported on the upright members; and a plank assembly supported on the horizontal members and including a main plank arranged, at least partially, between the two horizontal members and connected to the two horizontal members, and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank, wherein the at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew.
 9. The scaffolding of claim 9, wherein the at least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.
 10. The scaffolding of claim 9, wherein the plank assembly further includes at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank and removably engaged to the one of the horizontal members, and at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank and removably engaged with other of the horizontal members.
 11. The scaffolding of claim 10, wherein the plank assembly further includes a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the horizontal members to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the horizontal members.
 12. The scaffolding of claim 11, wherein each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.
 13. The scaffolding of claim 9, wherein the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank, the second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.
 14. The scaffolding of claim 13, wherein the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap, the second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap, wherein the first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions.
 15. A plank assembly for a scaffolding, the plank assembly comprising: a main plank; and at least one extender plank adapted to telescopically extend or retract relative to the main plank, wherein the at least one extender plank, when extended relative to the main plank, provides an additional support platform for a work crew, the least one extender plank includes a plurality of bars with each bar separated from an adjacently arranged bar by a gap.
 16. The plank assembly of claim 15 further including at least one first hook attached to a first lateral side of the main plank, and at least one second hook attached to a second lateral side of the main plank, wherein the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook are adapted to engage with a frame of the scaffolding to support the plank assembly on the frame.
 17. The plank assembly of claim 16 further including a plurality of locks adapted to lock the at least one first hook and the at least one second hook with the frame to prevent the disengagement of the plank assembly from the frame.
 18. The plank assembly of claim 17, wherein each lock includes a spring biased latch member biased in a lock position.
 19. The plank assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one extender plank includes a first extender plank adapted to extend in a first longitudinal direction form the main plank and a second extender plank adapted to extend in a second longitudinal direction from the main plank, the second longitudinal direction being opposite to the first longitudinal direction.
 20. The plank assembly of claim 19, wherein the first extender plank includes a plurality of first bars with each first bar separated from an adjacently arranged first bar by a first gap, the second extender plank includes a plurality of second bars with each second bar separated from an adjacently arranged second bar by a second gap, wherein the first bars are arranged inside the second gaps and the second bars are arranged inside the first gaps when both the first extender plank and the second extender plank are arranged in retracted positions. 